• Computers and Concrete
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• 제12권1호
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• pp.19-36
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• 2013

In the finite element analysis of reinforced concrete structures, discrete representation of the steel reinforcing bars is considered advantageous over smeared representation because of the more realistic modelling of their bond-slip behaviour. However, there is up to now limited research on how to simulate the dowel action of discrete reinforcing bars, which is an important component of shear transfer in cracked concrete structures. Herein, a numerical model for the dowel action of discrete reinforcing bars is developed. It features derivation of the dowel stiffness based on the beam-on-elastic-foundation theory and direct assemblage of the dowel stiffness matrix into the stiffness matrices of adjoining concrete elements. The dowel action model is incorporated in a nonlinear finite element program based on secant stiffness formulation and application to deep beams tested by others demonstrates that the incorporation of dowel action can improve the accuracy of the finite element analysis.

• Interaction and multiscale mechanics
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• 제1권1호
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• pp.1-31
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• 2008

The present paper presents multiscale modelling via coupling of the discrete and finite element methods. Theoretical formulation of the discrete element method using spherical or cylindrical particles has been briefly reviewed. Basic equations of the finite element method using the explicit time integration have been given. The micr-macro transition for the discrete element method has been discussed. Theoretical formulations for macroscopic stress and strain tensors have been given. Determination of macroscopic constitutive properties using dimensionless micro-macro relationships has been proposed. The formulation of the multiscale DEM/FEM model employing the DEM and FEM in different subdomains of the same body has been presented. The coupling allows the use of partially overlapping DEM and FEM subdomains. The overlap zone in the two coupling algorithms is introduced in order to provide a smooth transition from one discretization method to the other. Coupling between the DEM and FEM subdomains is provided by additional kinematic constraints imposed by means of either the Lagrange multipliers or penalty function method. The coupled DEM/FEM formulation has been implemented in the authors' own numerical program. Good performance of the numerical algorithms has been demonstrated in a number of examples.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• 제12권2호
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• pp.223-236
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• 2017

Seismic assessment and rehabilitation of Monumental Buildings constitute an important issue in many regions around the world to preserve cultural heritage. On the contrary, many recent earthquakes have demonstrated the high vulnerability of this type of structures. The high nonlinear masonry behaviour requires ad hoc refined finite element numerical models, whose complexity and computational costs are generally unsuitable for practical applications. For these reasons, several authors proposed simplified numerical strategies to be used in engineering practice. However, most of these alternative methods are oversimplified being based on the assumption of in-plane behaviour of masonry walls. Moreover, they cannot be used for modelling the monumental structures for which the interaction between plane and out-plane behaviour governs the structural response. Recently, an innovative discrete-modelling approach for the simulation of both in-plane and out of-plane response of masonry structures was proposed and applied to study several typologies of historic structures. In this paper the latter model is applied with reference to a real case study, and numerically compared with an advanced finite element modelling. The method is applied to the St.Venerio church in Reggiolo (Italy), damaged during the 2012 Emilia-Romagna earthquake and numerically investigated in the literature.

• Structural Monitoring and Maintenance
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• 제4권3호
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• pp.195-220
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• 2017

Nowadays, railway system plays a significant role in transportation, conveying cargo, passengers, minerals, grains, and so forth. Railway ballasted track is a conventional railway track as can be seen all over the world. Ballast, located underneath the sleepers, is the most important elements on ballasted track, which has many functions and requires routine maintenance. Ballast needs to be maintained frequently to prevent rail buckling, settlement, misalignment so that ballast has to be modelled accurately. Continuum model was introduced to model granular material and was extended in ballast. However, ballast is a heterogeneous material with highly nonlinear behaviour. Hence, ballast could not be modelled accurately in continuum model due to the discontinuities nature and material degradation of ballast. Discrete element modelling (DEM) is proposed as an alternative approach that provides insight into constitutive model, realistic particle, and contact algorithm between each particle. DEM has been studied in many recent decades. However, there are limitations due to the high computational time and memory consumption, which cause the lack of using in high range. This paper presents a review of recent ballast modelling with benefits and drawbacks. Ballast particles are illustrated either circular, circular crump, spherical, spherical crump, super-quadric, polygonal and polyhedral. Moreover, the gaps and limitations of previous studies are also summarized. The outcome of this study will help the understanding into different ballast modelling and particle. The insight information can be used to improve ballast modelling and monitoring for condition-based track maintenance.

• 한국분말야금학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국분말야금학회 2006년도 Extended Abstracts of 2006 POWDER METALLURGY World Congress Part 1
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• pp.187-188
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• 2006

In contrast with the Finite Element Method, the Discrete Element Method (DEM) takes explicitly into account the particulate nature of powders. DEM exhibits some drawbacks and many advantages. Simulations can be computationally expensive and they are only able to represent a volume element. However, these simulations have the great advantage of providing a wealth of information at the microstructural level. Here we demonstrate that the method is well suited for modelling, in coordination with FEM, the compaction of ceramic $UO_2$ particles that have been aggregated. Aggregates of individual ceramic crystallites that are strongly bonded together are represented by porous spheres.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• 제15권4호
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• pp.477-493
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• 2003

Masonry is not a simple material, the influence of mortar joints as a plane of weakness is a significant feature and this makes the numerical modelling of masonry very difficult especially when dynamic (seismic) analysis is involved. In order to develop a simple numerical model for masonry under earthquake load, an analytical model based on Distinct Element Method (DEM) is being developed. At the first stage, the model is applied to simulate the in-plane shear behaviour of an unreinforced masonry wall with and without opening where the testing results are available for comparison. In DEM, a solid is represented as an assembly of discrete blocks. Joints are modelled as interface between distinct bodies. It is a dynamic process and specially designed to model the behaviour of discontinuities. The numerical solutions obtained from the distinct element analysis are validated by comparing the results with those obtained from existing experiments and finite element modelling.

• 한국소음진동공학회논문집
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• 제21권3호
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• pp.248-257
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• 2011

It was reported recently that railpads can be included as a continuous elastic support of the rail and the model was justified from experiments. In general, however, railpads are installed discretely on sleepers with a regular span. The effect of the discrete railpad was not clearly examined so far in such a high frequency range. In this paper, the effect of the railpads in track modelling for high frequencies is investigated by means of the finite element analysis. To do that, the railpads are regarded as 'a continuous elastic support' and 'a discrete elastic support' in this paper. The dispersion relations and decaying features are predicted and compared between the two models up to 80 kHz.

• 대한수학회지
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• 제59권3호
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• pp.519-548
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• 2022

In this paper, a stabilized-penalized collocated finite volume (SPCFV) scheme is developed and studied for the stationary generalized Navier-Stokes equations with mixed Dirichlet-traction boundary conditions modelling an incompressible biological fluid flow. This method is based on the lowest order approximation (piecewise constants) for both velocity and pressure unknowns. The stabilization-penalization is performed by adding discrete pressure terms to the approximate formulation. These simultaneously involve discrete jump pressures through the interior volume-boundaries and discrete pressures of volumes on the domain boundary. Stability, existence and uniqueness of discrete solutions are established. Moreover, a convergence analysis of the nonlinear solver is also provided. Numerical results from model tests are performed to demonstrate the stability, optimal convergence in the usual L² and discrete H¹ norms as well as robustness of the proposed scheme with respect to the choice of the given traction vector.

• 한국지반공학회논문집
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• 제22권10호
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• pp.111-120
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• 2006

본 연구에서는 개별요소해석 프로그램 PFC를 이용하여 실내 대형삼축압축시험에 대한 거동예측 및 실내시험 결과와의 분석을 수행하였다. 댐 축조용 락필재료(rockfill material)에 대한 실내 대형삼축압축시험을 수행하였으며, PFC 해석에 있어서는 초기 간극률을 고려한 개별요소 생성과 팽창, clump logic을 이용한 대상재료의 입도분포 모델링을 수행하였다. 특정 구속압 조건에 대한 실내시험 결과를 이용하여 개별요소해석시 필요한 미시 물성치(micro Parameter)를 산정하였으며, 이를 이용하여 다양한 응력조건에 대한 개별요소해석을 수행하였다. 본 연구결과, 개별요소법은 지반공학적 측면에서, 조립재료에 대한 미시적 거동(micro behavior) 및 전체적 거동(macro behavior)의 예측뿐 아니라, 수치시험실(numerical laboratory)로서 활용될 수 있음을 확인할 수 있었다.

• Coupled systems mechanics
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• 제10권1호
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• pp.1-19
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• 2021

Composite nature of the masonry structures in general causes complex and non-linear behaviour, especially in intense vibration conditions. The presence of different types and forms of structural elements and different materials is a major problem for the analysis of these type of structures. For this reason, the analysis of the behaviour of masonry structures requires a combination of experimental tests and non-linear mathematical modelling. The famous UNESCO Heritage Old Bridge in Mostar was selected as an example for the analysis of the global behaviour of reinforced stone arch masonry bridges. As part of the experimental research, a model of the Old Bridge was constructed in a scale of 1:9 and tested on a shaking table platform for different levels of seismic excitation. Non-linear mathematical modelling was performed using a combined finite-discrete element method (FDEM), including the effect of connection elements. The paper presents the horizontal displacement of the top of the arch and the failure mechanism of the Old Bridge model for the experimental and the numerical phase, as well as the comparison of the results. This research provided a clearer insight into the global behaviour of stone arch masonry structures reinforced with steel clamps and steel dowels, which is significant for the structures classified as world cultural heritage.